Foster City, California-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) acquired EpiTherapeutics, a Danish company developing novel innovative cancer drugs, for $65m.
Led by Martin Bonde, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, EpiTherapeutics is developing novel cancer drugs based on epigenetics, a therapeutic area researched by scientist Professor Kristian Helin and his group at Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) at University of Copenhagen.
The company, whose development programs are focused on enzymes involved in the regulation of transcription in cancer, has generated a library of selective small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, in particular histone demethylases. Its lead pre-clinical compounds are being studied for the treatment of certain cancers.
Backers in the company included NOVO Seeds, SEED Capital, Lundbeckfond Emerge, MS Ventures and Astellas Venture.
EpiTherapeutics.
FinSMEs
07/05/2015